US Forces (the world to do what it wants)
Well guys, try this on for size...
What's really cheesing me off at present is the USA's foreign policy & what it's leading to.
Basically, it seems lots of stuff the USA has done in the last 50 or so years has come back to bite it on the arse, but the powers-that -be are keeping on trying to force things their way (& let's face it, as the largest economy in the world, no-one can stop them easily). Here are some examples:
= Afganistan: the US financed/helped bin Laden in the 70s or so, now the worm has turned, so to speak. But now the US shackles are up, & they've imprisoned hundreds of people in Camp X-ray in violation of the Geneva convention (and on what basis - that they were born somewhere else? who knows), with only 1 actual suspect in the attacks, who was already in prison anyway! It's a bloody poor outcome from a massive operation in anybody's book. Have a look at ex-Aussie John Pilger's article about it in ZNet if yer want to know more.
= Israel: the US/Allies shafted the Palestinians bigtime & set up the Israelis slap-bang in the middle of the holy land; the US continued to sell arms on a huge basis to Israel, which were then used (among other things) to shaft the Pale's even more. Now when the Isr's basically bulldoze Yasser Arafat's house, they say he's to blame! And while the rest of the civilised world says Israel is being bloody aggro & should pull its head out of its arse (but in more diplomatic terms), George "Dubya" Bush says "well, Israel has to defend itself from terrorism, ya know".
= The US uses the third world as its sweatshop and pushes for "free trade" to keep it in poverty & make it easier for its mega-corporations to railroad the locals anyhow they want. On top of everything else, the US talks about "free trade" and yet when it comes to allowing Aussie beef/wool/whatever in, it's a whole different ball game (to borrow a US analogy); a couple of weeks ago the US announced a US$140 billion (yes, billion, not million) package to support US agriculture; how does that promote free trade?
Having said all that, I'm sure the majority of Yanks are OK people, very similar to us Aussies (perhaps more ignorant of the rest of the world tho), but their powers-that-be are just as bent as everywhere else.
Now I've got that off my chest, I'm feeling a bit better; all I have to do now is try to do something to change it (non-violently of course)...
Indeed Rockcake and it's a term known as selective terrorism.
The US bomb another and profess to rescue whilst they scream terror when the bombs come falling upon their own.
You hoped a lesson might have been @#%$ learned.
I'm genuinely appreciative of the fact you posted an articulate, well considered piece relating to a horrific, continuing issue that can maintain a balanced vision through a message board initiated by a great rock band.
I recommend the website of "Awful Truth" creator, and filmaker/author, all round American legend, Michael Moore (no relation to FRONTLINE!) whose inspiring exposition and condemnation of all mercenaries,corruptors and government liars both local and international, encourage your individual pursuit to contribute to a better world.
Check it out at www.michaelmoore.com
Take care Loader fans and as the lads sing "Sorry day, same as any other day.."
Recommended Reading
Oh but yes, aren't the yanks a bit shady on a whole lot of other issues going back as far as WWII. To be sure, I couldn't begin to profess to be an expert on these matters but thankfully the good people at disinformation books (www.disinfo.com ) have released a mighty tome entitled 'You Are Being Lied To' which has got well reasoned, articulate and most importantly exhaustive footnoted articles about a whole raft of shady goings on, written by experts.
From the Bush Family's connection to the attempted assasin of Ronald Regan (who would have been next in line for the presidency had the attempt been succesful?), to media manipulations (from Kosovo to Colombine), flaws in religious and scientific dogma and TONS of other neat-o factoids. This is a great book that will have your family members begging you to shut-up about all the great new things you learned.
Also out soon is the companion piece 'Everything You Know Is Wrong'. Very excited.
Edited by: Gonkus at: 5/1/02 2:00:25 pm
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